146 GAME BIEDS OF CALIFOBXIA 



From the foregoing evidence it can be seen that the Wood Duck, 

 although existing in California in considerable numbers in the early 

 days, is now nearly extinct. A number of the eastern states have 

 found it necessary to give it complete and permanent protection in 

 order to save it. California's only hope of saving this species is to 

 do likewise. Altliough the Wood Duck is migratory in most states, it 

 remains with us throughout the year and so gives us an added respon- 

 sibility. The federal regulations regarding migratory birds which 

 went into effect in the fall of 1913 placed a closed season of five years 

 on the Wood Duck. At the end of this period a renewal of total pro- 

 tection will be necessary. 



Redhead 



Marila americana (Eyton) 



Other names — Eed-headed Duck; Pochard; Aythya americana; Aythya 

 erythrocephala ; Nyroca americana; Nyroca ferina; Nyroca erytlirocephala ; 

 Fuligula ferina americana. 



Description — Adult male: Whole head and upper neck rich reddish chestnut, 

 glossed with reddish purple; bill bluish gray, nail black; iris lemon yellow; 

 lower neck and forepart of upper surface of body, black; rest of back anil 

 rump ashy brown; middle of back finely cross-barred with dull white; upper 

 tail coverts and tail dull black, fading into dull white at tip of tail; outer 

 surface of closed wing lead gray; scapulars vermiculated with irregular white 

 and black bars, those of black widest; flight feathers slate gray; speculum 

 pale bluish gray, bordered behind narrowly with white, the three upper 

 feathers edged with black on outer webs; axillars pure white; rest of under 

 surface of wing gray; lower neck and breast blackish, with ashy feather- 

 edgings giving a mottled appearance; forepart of belly pure white; sides, flanks 

 and hinder portion of belly, dusky, with white vermiculations as on scapulars; 

 under tail coverts blackish brown; legs and feet bluish gray, darker at joints; 

 M^ebs blackish. Total length 19.87-21.00 inches (506-533 mm.) (three speci- 

 mens); folded wing 8.50-9.33 (216-237); bill along culmen 1.89-2.05 (48.0-52.0); 

 tarsus 1.61-1.66 (40.8-42.2) (four specimens). Adult female: Top of head and 

 whole upper surface, brown, darkest on crown; sides of head and area at base 

 of bill, much lighter in tone; chin white; bill lead color, tij) black; upper tail 

 coverts dusky brown; terminal portion of tail dull white; wing as in male; 

 scapulars like back, lacking vermiculations, but each feather broadly tipped 

 with ashy; breast much as in male but of lighter tone, the feathers being 

 more extensively tipped with reddish brown and ashy. Total length (both 

 sexes): "17.00-21.00" inches (432-533 mm.) (Ridgway, 1900, p. 101); folded 

 wing 9.00 (228); bill along culmen 1.77 (44.9); tarsus 1.57 (39.8) (one speci- 

 men); all from California. Juvenile plumage: Not known to us. Natal plumage: 

 Whole upper surface olive brown; spot back of base of each wing, one on hind 

 border of each wing, and one on each side of rump, yellow; side of head and 

 whole lower surface deep buff yellow, paler and less yellow behind; no distinct 

 streaks on side of head although a buffy line above and below eye is to be 

 noted on close inspection; bill and feet (dried), light brown. 



